Fundraiser benefits memorial for Vernon Hills boy killed by goal post

The family of a 6-year-old Vernon Hills boy who died in 2003 after a soccer goal post fell on him held an event Saturday to benefit a memorial fund in his name.

Proceeds from Zackapalooza will go to the Zachary Tran Memorial Fund, which has crusaded to enhance goal-post safety and provides educational, athletic and artistic activities for children of limited opportunity.

“We are so proud that in the last eight years we have given $80,000 to more than 2,100 kids,” Zachary’s mother, Michelle Tran, said. “We want to continue to give back to our local community as well as children all across the world. We want Zack’s spirit to live on.”

In August 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn signed “Zach’s law,” formally known as the Movable Soccer Goal Safety Act, as a result of the foundation’s efforts. The legislation requires all movable soccer goals manufactured and sold in Illinois to be properly anchored and tip resistant.

Michelle and Jayson Tran also founded Anchored for Safety, which provides safety education about movable soccer goals, monitors and tracks deaths related to soccer goals, and tracks state-by-state legislation.

Saturday’s event at the Vernon Hills Cougars Youth Athletic Association featured food, music, a silent auction and a raffle. For more information about the memorial fund, visit zacktranfund.org.